Apparatus for administering hydrotherapeutic baths.



L. H. PLEINS. APPARATUS PoR ADMINISTERING HYDROTHERAPEUTIG BATES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1911.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.V

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L. H. PLEINS.

APPLIGATIQN FILED JULY 3, 1911.

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L. H. PLEIN S. APPARATUS PoR ADMINISTERING HYDRO'THBRAPEUTIG BATES. APPLICATION FILED JULY 3,` 1911. 1,070,374, 4Patented Aug". 12, 1913'.-

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.-llllllil L. H. PLEINS. APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTERING HYDROTHERAPEUTIG BATES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1911.

PBJGIIG. Allg'. 12, 1913.

A SHEETS-SHEET 4.

NoGRAmLco.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC.

LEO H. PLEINS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 JAMES IB. CLOW & SONS, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTERING HYDROTHERAPEU'IIC BATHS.

To all wh-0m t may concern.' Be it known that I, Lno I-I. PLEINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofv Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Administering I-Iydrotherapeutic Baths, of which the following is a specification.

The administering of a hydro-therapeutic bath involves the application of steam or water to any part of the body of the patient, at any desired temperature anqd in any desired form, such as a shower, a douche, or a spray, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus whereby this method of treatment may he carried out to as full an extent as the conditions of individual cases Inav require.

Another object of the invention is to regulate the pressure of the water before it is discharged against the patient and particularly where more than a single discharge pipe is used.

The term discharge pipe as used in this specification is intended to comprehend any pipe, either rigid or flexible, terminating in a nozzle of any desired character, and the term nozzle is intended to comprehend any device having one or a plurality of openings or perforations, however disposed, through which the water is discharged in any desired form, as, for example, in a single solid stream, a shower, a spray or the like.

To these ends the invention consists in the features of novelty that are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the principal operative parts of an apparatus embodying the invention. Fig. la is a fragmentary diagrammatic view showing a slight modification in a detail of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the principal operative parts of an apparatus embodying the invention and involving the modification shown in Fig. la, viewed in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 3, some of the parts being broken away at the left hand side of the ligure. Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof viewed in the direction of the arrow 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical central section of the mixing valve on the line Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led July 3, 1911.

- Patented Aug. 12, 1913. serial No. 636,634.

5 5, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow.

The parts of the apparatus on opposite sides of its vertical center are precisely alike (excepting as to the discharge nozzles, which may or may not be alike) and hence, for the sake of brevity, the following description will be confined to the parts on the right hand side of said center, excepting when it becomes necessary to mention those on the left hand side, and similar parts on the opposite sides will be indicated by similar reference characters with a added as an exponent to those on the left hand side, for the sake of distinction, whenever necessary.

It will be understood that the several parts are supported by a frame of suitable construction (not shown in the drawings) and this frame supports a table 1, above which the handles or prehensible parts of the several valves, and certain other devices which must be within sight and within reach of the operator are located. It will be understood also that below the table is built a cabinet (not shown) which conceals and protects the various parts of the apparatus, excepting the aforesaid parts that are located above the table. At the immediate center of the apparatus is a discharge pipe, 2, having a flexible portion, 3, terminating in a nozzle, 4, and this pipe is supplied with steam by a pipe, 5, leading fro-m any desired source and provided with a check valve, 6. The passage of water from the supply pipe, 5, to the discharge pipe, 2, is controlled by a valve, 7, the handle of which is located above the table, within convenient reach of the operator, and `is also indicated by the numeral 7 Throughout this description, each of the several valves and its handle will bear the same reference character, for the sake of brevity, there being no occasion of distinguishing the several parts of the valve device.

For carrying off the water of condensation, the pipe, 2, communicates with a drain pipe, 8, the lower end of which is controlled by a spring-seated valve, 9, which is opened by a treadle, 10.

Hot Water is supplied to the apparatus by a pipe, 11, which is controlled by a cut oit valve, 12, and beyond this valve the supply pipe has two branches extending to opposite sides oit the apparatus. Similarly, cold water is supplied by a pipe, 13, and is controlled by valve, 14, beyond which the pipe is provided with two branches to opposite sides ot the apparatus. Similarly, ice water is supplied by a branched pipe, 15, controlled by a cut-ottl valve, 1G. The supply pipes, 11 and 13, communicate through vinlet ports, 17 and 18, respectively, with two inlet chambers, 19 and 20, of a quicl-acting mixing valve, 21, the details in the construction ot' which latter are shown in Fig. 4. rllhc tlow oi water through the pipes, 11 and 13, is controlled by cut-off valves, 22 and 23, respectively, each of which, in the operation ot t-he device, is intended to be either wholly open or wholly closed, so thatthe hot and cold water is admitted to the inlet chambers, 19 and 20, at full supplypressure. The inlet chambers, 19 and 20, communicate with the single outlet chamber, 24, ot the mixing valve through ports, 25, 'termed laterally through a short cylinder, 2G, the ends of which are constantly in open communication with the inlet chambers, 19 and 20, respectively.

Mounted to slide within the cylinder, 26, is a piston valve, 27, adapted to coperate with the ports 25 and reeiproeally increase and decrease the areas ot' those portions otl said ports through which water flows Jfrom the respective inlet chambers to the outlet chamber and this reeiprocally regulates the relative proportions of het and cold water passing to the outlet chamber, 24. That is to say, as the one is increased the other is to the same extent decreased and vice versa. In other words, by moving the piston in one direction the passage through which the water flows from one inlet chamber to the outlet chamber is increased, while theA passage through which the water iiows from the other inlet chamber to the outlet chamber is decreased, the increase and decrease being simultaneous and equal in extent. This mixing valves does not and is not intended to entirely cut 'ott the flow of water tothe outlet chamber and through the single outlet opening 28, but is merely for the purpose oit determining the proportions ot hot and cold water admitted to the outlet chamber and thus vary the temperature on the delivery side of the valve. It also acts as a non-sealding valve in that in its normal. position it permits the free flow of cold water, but prevents the admission of any hot water to the outlet chamber in advance ot the admission thereto of the cold water. The valves 22 and 23 in the supply pipes, 11 and 13, being both opened, and the valve 27 in its normal position, as indicated by a pointer 29 secured to the upper portion 30 ot its stem and working in conjunction with the dial 31, in order to raise the temperature of the water admitted to the outlet chamber of the mixing valve, the valve stem is rotated, the pointer 29 being used as a handle for this purpose, it desired, until the valve opens those portions of the ports which communicate directly with hot water inlet chamber, 19, and correspondingly closes those portions ot the ports which communicate directly with the cold water inlet chamber, 20, and the hot and cold water when thoroughly mixed reach the desired temperature. By the use of such an operating handle, which also has the function of an index or pointer, a screw thread, 30a, on the valve stem, 30, and a ixed sleeve, 30h, having an internal thread complementary to the thread, 30, and operating in conjunction therewith, the valve, 2T, may be quickly shifted from one position to another, and thereby quickly change the temperature ot the water on the delivery side, and by the use of the handle pointer, 46, in connection with the graduated dial, 47, the change may be accurately and quickly made from one predetermined temperature to another, thus enabling the use of a single discharge nozzle and a single mixer, resulting in economy in the use of water, over and above those heretofore existing apparatuses which use two discharge nozzles and two mixers, through which the water is constantly discharged, the alternating effect upon the patient being produced by alternately directing the nozzles so as to play upon him.

The outlet opening, 28, of the mixing valve communicates with the inlet opening, 32, of a pressure regulating valve, 33, through a pipe, 34, whereby the more or less mixed hot and cold water is admitted to the inlet chamber, 35, of the pressure valve at supply-pressure. The details in the construction ot this pressure valve are shown in Fig. 5. lithin its outer casing is secured a comparatively long tube, 36, the upper end et which is in direct internal communication with the inlet chamber', 35, while near its lower end it is provided with lateral ports, 37, which communicate with an annular space, 38, between the tube, 3G, and the downwardly extending portion, 39, oLt the valve casing. This annular space constitutes a part of the water-way, the term water-way being herein used to designate the space or passage, or any part thereof, through which the water flows on its way from the point of supply to the point of delivery. The part 38 is, in fact, the outlet chamber of the pressure regulating valve and has an outlet opening, 40, which communicates through a pipe, 41, with a pipe, 42, hereinafter called a header for the sake of distinction. The ports, 37, through which the inlet and outlet chambers, 35 and 38, respectively, communicate are controlled by a piston-like valve, 43, which is slidably mounted in the lower part of the tube, 36, and is carried by a stem, 44, to the upper' portion, 45, of which is secured a pointer, 46, working in conjunction with a dial, 47, which may be used as a handle for operating the valve stem. By thus adjusting the valve, 43, the water-way may be opened to any desired extent or closed altogether, as it is manifest that by more or less opening or closing the ports, 37, more or less water will pass through them and the pressure in the outlet chamber thereby be increased or decreased and that by closing them altogether no water can flow through the waterway. The valve, 21, has been called the mixing valve because it is within it that the hot and cold water rst come in contact with each other, and a valve, 33, has been called a pressure regulating valve because it determines the pressure of the water leaving it. But as a matter of fact, the thorough mixing of the hot and cold water begins at the very instant of their coming together and continues until they are discharged. It is a known fact that hot and cold water passing together through a straight pipe will not become thoroughly mixed, and especially if the pipe be short. It is for this reason that'the so called pressure regulating valve is so constructed as to make its chambers of comparatively large capacity and make devious the course which the water must follow in passing through them. The valves 21 and 33 are thus appropriately called a mixing valve and a pressure regulating valve, respectively, while the mixing chamber is made up of all parts of the water-way through which the water flows after it leaves the mixing chamber, but by whatever names the mixing valve and pressure regulating valve are {nown or called, they should not be confounded in arriving at a true understanding of what the invention really is.

The ice water supply pipe, 15, is controlled by a valve, 4S, and communicates with the pipe, 34, which, in turn, communica-tes with the inlet chamber, 35, of the pressure controlling valve, 33, so that when ice water alone is being used, the pressure at which it is delivered to the pipe, 41, can be regulated. For showing the exact pressure and temperature of the water delivered from the pressure regulator, a pressure gage, 49, and a thermometer, 50, are connected with some one ot t-he pipes at points between the pressure regulator and the point or points at which the water is drawn otf trom the so called header.7

Communicating with the header are any desired number of discharge pipes, 51, 52, 53 and 54, controlled by quick-acting valves,

55, 56, 57 and 58, respectively, and these discharge pipes terminate in nozzles, 59, 60, 61 and 62, respectively, which nozzles may, as heretofore explained, be ot' any desired character that will meet the requirements of the case. There are, however, some appliances that are more commonly used than others and these may be permanently xed to their respective discharge pipes, while a number of additional discharge pipes is provided to receive appliances less commonly used. For example, such appliances as shower baths, sitz baths, douches, needle sprays, liver sprays, etc., may be permanently connected with the discharge pipes, while other discharge pipes are provided for the attachment of special appliances.

In the use of the apparatus, almost any requirements as to temperature, pressure, or the part of the patient treated can be met. By properly manipulating the mixing and pressure valves the proper temperature and pressure may be obtained, and by proper manipulation of the discharge valves any desired part or parts of the patient can be treated. It only a single part is being treated, and it is desired to treat an additional part, or vice versa, the proper discharge valve is opened or closed, as the case may be, and should this result in a variation of the pressure, it will be shown by the gage, 49, and may be corrected by manipulating the pressure regulating valve. Again, if it be desired to instantaneously alternate from one temperature to another, say from hot water to ice water, this can be accomplished by setting the mixing valve, say 21, for giving hot water ot the desired temperature and setting the corresponding regulating valve for giving the desired pressure, and by entirely cutting out the mixing valve, 21a, opening the ice water discharge valve 48a and setting the corresponding pressure regulator, 33a. It, then, the discharge valves, 58 and 58L be opened, the operator may direct first one and then the other of the nozzles, 62 and 62a against the patient, or in place of manipulating the nozzles, 62 and 62a, (or any other pair of nozzles, say 60 and 60a) the discharge valves, 5S and 58a, (or any other pair, as the case may be) may be alternately opened and closed. Or, the same thing may be accomplished by using a quick-acting mixing valve and quickly shifting it back and forth between prescrib-ed limits which determine the high and low temperatures.

In some instances, the ice water is not passed through the pressure regulator, and in this event, the apparatus is constructed as shown in Figs. 1a, 2 and 3, in which the ice water supply pipe, 15, is connected directly with the header by a pipe, 63, a check valve, 64, being arranged in the connection to prevent back-flow.

lio

The header is provided with a drain-pipe, G5, controlled by a spring-closed valve, 66, adapted to be opened by a treadle, 67.

1t will be observed that all parts of the apparatus are duplicated upon opposite sides of the centrally located steam passageway and its nozzle. 'lfhe object ot' this ar rangement is to permit the operator to quickly change or alternate the treatment from one temperature to another. For instance, by properly adjusting the valves, the two Scotch douches may be used alternately, one being arranged to discharge hot water and 'the other ice water. lee water is here mentioned simply as an example but water of any desired ditference in temperature may be used by properly adjusting the two mixing valves, 21 and 21a. Again, steam or vapor may be used alternately with water of any desired temperature and for this purpose the parts upon opposite sides of the steam discharge pipe need not be duplicated.

Throughout the water-way, from the point of the conjunction of the supply streams, say the hot and cold water supply pipes, 11 and 13, to the points of the junction of the discharge pipes, or at least any two ot them, the said water-way, including the valve casings incorporated therein, and the ports of the valves contained in said casings, are at least equal in capacity to said supply pipes and also to said discharge pipes, to the end that the discharge pipes shall receive a supply of water equal to their predetermined capacity, or quantity which it is intended that they shall discharge. This being so, the mixing valve for example, has the capacity for receiving and delivering a volume of water equal, if desired, to the full capacity of the supply pipes. rlhis is also true of the pressure regulating valve, so that when the pressure regulating valve is fully opened, it will permit a i'low of water to the discharge pipes, or to the header from which they lead oli', equal to the it'ull capacity and pressure of the aggregate water supply. lt, therefore, follows that when the mixing valve is once adjusted so that the water at its delivery side is of the desired temperature, it need not be again manipulated, and this temperature will remain constant until the mixing valve is adjusted for a different temperature. The full supply of water of the desired tempera ture then enters the pressure regulating valve and by properly adjusting this valve, the pressure ot the water on its delivery side may be regulated to what is desired, after which the pressure on its delivery side will remain constant until the valve is adjusted for a dierent pressure. 1With this condition, by opening any one or more of the quick-acting valves, 55, 56, or 57, of the discharge pipes, each or all of them will deliver the water against the patient at the desired pressure and in the desired quantity or volume.

lll hat 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus et the class described, the combination of a plurality of pipes for supplying water of ditlierent temperatures,

a mixing valve having two inlet chambers i with which said pipes communicate, respectively, and a single outlet chamber, said mixing valve having means for reciprocally regulating the proportions of water of dillerent temperatures flowing from the inlet chambers to the outlet chamber, a discharge pipe having a nozzle, a water-way connection between the outlet chamber of the mixing valve and the discharge pipe, a pressure regulating valve having a casing incorporated in Said connection, between the mixing valve and the discharge pipe, said regulating valve having means tor regulating the quantity ot water flowing past it and conse quently the pressure ot' the water on its delivery side while leaving the water-way con nection, the mixing valve and discharge pipe, at all points, ot the full capacity ot the discharge pipe, and means for quickly opening or closing the discharge pipe.

2. ln an apparatus of the class described, the combination ot' a plurality ot pipes for supplying water of ditl'erent temperatures, a mixing valve having two inlet chambers with which said pipes eon'lmunicate, respeew tively, and a single outlet chamber, said mixing valve having means for reciprocally regulating the proportions of water of ditferent temperatures flowing from the inlet chambers to the outlet chamber, a discharge pipe having a nozzle, a quicleacting valve in said discharge pipe for completely opening or completely closing it, a connection between the outlet chamber of the mixing valve and the discharge pipe, and a pressure regulating valve having a casing incorporated in said connection, between the mixing valve and the quick-acting valve ot the discharge pipe, said regulating valve having means for regulating the quantity et' water flowing through it, and consequently the pressure of the water on its delivery side while leaving the water-way connection, the mixing valve and the discharge pipe, at all points, orp the full capacity of the discharge pipe.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of' pipes for supplying water of dirlerent temperatures, a cut-ott valve in each oit said pipes for completely opening or completely closing it, a mixing valve having two inlet chambers, with which said pipes communicate respectively, and an out-let chamber, said mixing valve having means for regulating the pro- ,portions of water of different temperatures owmg from the inlet chambers to the outlet chamber, a discharge pipe having a nozzle, a cut-o valve for completely opening or completely closing said discharge pipe, a connection between the outlet chamber of the mixing valve and the discharge pipe, and a pressure regulating valve having a casing incorporated in said connection, between the mixing valve and the cut-0E valve of the discharge pipe, said regulating valve having means for regulating the aggregate quantity of water flowing past it without changing the proportions of the water of different temperatures.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of pipes for supplying water of dierent temperatures, a mixing valve having two inlet chambers with which said pipes communicate, respectively, and an outlet chamber, said mixing valve having means for reciprocally regulating the proportions of water of different temperatures iiowing from the inlet chambers to the outlet chamber of the mixing valve, a plurality of discharge pipes having nozzles, a cut-0E valve in each of said discharge pipes for opening or closing it, pipe connections forming a water-way between the mixing valve and the discharge pipes, and a pressure regulating valve common to said discharge pipes, said pressure regulating valve having a casing incorporated in said pipe vconnections between the mixing valve and the discharge pipes.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of pipes for supplying water of ditferent temperatures, a cut-off valve in each of said supply pipes for completely opening or completely closing it, a mixing valve having two inlet chambers with which said pipes communicate, respectively, and an outlet chamber, said mixing valve having means for regulating the proportions of water of different temperatures flowing from the inlet chambers to the outlet chamber of the mixing valve, a plurality of discharge pipes having nozzles, a cut-0E valve in each of said discharge pipes for completely opening or completely closing it, pipe connections between the mixing valve and the discharge pipes, and a pressure regulating valve having a casing incorporated in said pipe connections between the mixing valve and the discharge pipes.

6. In an apparatus or" the class described, the combination of two discharge pipes having nozzles and adapted to be used alternately, independent means for supplying said discharge pipes with iiuid of different temperatures, said means for supplying at least one of said discharge pipes having separate supply pipes for fluid of different temperatures, a mixing valve having means for admitting thereto the desired proportions of said fluids of different temperatures, a pressure regulating valve to which the mixed iiuid is supplied, said pressure regulating valve having means for permitting the passage of the Huid, and a pipe connection between said pressure regulating valve and the discharge pipe.

7 In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of separate pipes for supplying hot and cold water, respectively, a cut-oil'1 valve in each oit' said pipes for opening or closing it, a discharge pipe having a nozzle, a mixing valve having two inlet chambers with which said supply pipes communicate, respectively, and a single outlet chamber, said mixing valve having means for reciprocally regulating the proportions of hot and cold water passing through it, a pressure regulating valve for receiving the mixed water as it comes from the mixing valve and a pipe connection between the pressure regulating valve and the discharge pipe.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of separate pipes for supplying water of different temperatures, a cut-ofi" valve in each of said pipes for opening or closing it, a plurality of discharge pipes having nozzles, a pipe connection between all of the supply pipes and discharge pipes, a mixing valve having means for admitting the desired proportions of water of different temperatures, and a pressure regulating valve for receiving the water from the mixing valve, the casings of said valves being incorporated in said pipe connections.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of water supply pipes, a plurality of discharge pipes having nozzles, a cut-off valve in each of said discharge pipes for opening or closing it, a pipe connection between the supply pipes and the discharge pipes, a mixing valve incorporated in said pipe connection and common to all of said supply and discharge pipes, for admitting the desired proportions of water of diiierent temperatures, and a pressure regulating valve, also incorporated in said pipe connection and common to all of the discharge pipes, said pressure regulating valve having means for regulating the volume of water iiowing past it.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of pipes for supplying water of different temperatures.l a valve in each of said pipes, a mixing valve with which both of said pipes communicate, a plurality of discharge pipes, a pipe connection between all of said discharge pipes and the mixing valve, and a pressure regulating valve incorporated in said pipe connection.

ll. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of watersupply pipes, a valve in each of said pipes, a

mixing valve having a plurality of inlet' chambers with which said inlet pipes communicate, respectively, and having a single outlet chamber with which said inlet cha1n bers communicate, a reciprocally operating valve for reciprocally and simultaneously enlarging and reducing the respective areas of the passages through which the inlet chambers communicate with the outlet chamber, a discharge pipe, a valve therein, a pipe connection between the discharge pipe and the outlet chamber of the mixing valve, and a pressure regulating valve incorporated in said pipe connection.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of watersupply pipes, a valve in each of said pipes, a mixing valve having inlet chambers with which said pipes communicate respectively, said mixing valve having a single outlet chamber, a pressure regulating valve having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, a pipe connection between the outlet chamber et' the mixing valve and the inlet chamber ci the pressure regulating valve, a discharge pipe, a valve therein, and a pipe connection between the discharge pipe and the outlet chamber of the pressure regulating valve, said pressure regulating valve having a valve proper for controlling the area of the passage through which water passes from its inlet chamber to its outlet chamber.

13. In an apparatus ofthe class described, the combination with a plurality of discharge pipes of predetermined capacity, a plurality of pipes for supplying water of different temperatures, and connections forming a water-way between said supply pipes and discharge pipes, the water-way of said connections being equal in capacity to the aggregate capacity of the discharge pipes, a mixing valve having a casing 1ncorporated in said connections, said mixing valve having inlet chambers with which the supply pipes communicate, respectively, an outlet chamber and a valve for controlling communication between the inlet chambers and the outlet chamber, a pressure regulating valve having a casing, also incorporated in said connections, and having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, a valve for controlling communication between the inlet chamber and outlet chamber, last aforesaid, and quick-acting valves in the discharge pipes.

LEO H. PLEINS. lVitnesses:

L. M. HOPKINS, N. E. LEVY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

